Device and method for controlling light sources in motor vehicles

Abstract

A device controls at least a first light source of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes at least the first light source to provide a first light function and a second light source to provide a second light function. The device includes an electrical structure to detect activation of the second light source, and to deactivate the first light source after detection of activation of the second light source. Also, a method controls at least a first light source of the motor vehicle. The method includes electrically detecting activation of the second light source and electrically deactivating the first light source after detecting activation of the second light source.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for controlling at least a first light source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising the first light source and a second light source, the device comprising:
 an electrical circuit configured to:
 detect an activation signal to activate the second light source, and deactivate, via a switch, the first light source after detection of the activation signal to activate the second light source and irrespective of an activation signal to activate the first light source, the switch being disposed in a path of the activation signal to the first light source, and 
 detect a deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source, and activate the first light source after detection of the deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source, 
 
 wherein the first light source provides a first light function and the second light source provides a second light function that is different from the first light function, and 
 the electrical circuit includes a timer configured to delay activation of the first light source for a time period after detection of deactivation of the second light source. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electrical circuit is further configured to deactivate a third light source of the motor vehicle after detection of the activation signal to activate the second light source, and activate the third light source after detection of the deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source; and 
 the third light source is configured to provide a third light function. 
 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be included within an automotive lamp. 
     
     
       4. A lighting device for a motor vehicle, the lighting device comprising: a first light source; a second light source; and the device according to  claim 1  to control at least the first light source. 
     
     
       5. The lighting device according to  claim 4 , further comprising an optics device, wherein:
 the first light source is configured to provide a first light function through a first face of the optics device; and 
 the second light source is configured to provide a second light function through the first face of the optics device. 
 
     
     
       6. An automotive lamp comprising the lighting device according to  claim 4 , wherein the automotive lamp is a headlamp or a rearlamp. 
     
     
       7. A method for controlling at least a first light source of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising the first light source and a second light source, the method comprising:
 electrically detecting an activation signal to activate the second light source; 
 electrically deactivating, via a switch, the first light source after detecting the activation signal to activate the second light source and irrespective of an activation signal to activate the first light source, the switch being disposed in a path of the activation signal to the first light source; 
 detecting a deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source, and activating the first light source after detection of the deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source after a time delay of a timer has elapsed, 
 wherein the first light source provides a first light function and the second light source provides a second light function that is different from the first light function. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 electrically deactivating a third light source after detecting the activation signal to activate the second light source; and 
 electrically activating the third light source after detecting the deactivation signal to deactivate the second light source; and 
 wherein the third light source is configured to provide a third light function. 
 
     
     
       9. A device configured to perform the adapted method according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first light function is a daytime running light function or a low beam complementary function; and 
 the second light function is a turn indicator function. 
 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit includes a multiplexer to electrically connect one of a power line of the first light source and a power line of the second light source to the a timer. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 7  further comprising electrically connecting one of a power line of the first light source and a power line of the second light source to the timer in order to generate the time delay. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a power line of the second light source is connected to a reset input of the timer to control activation of the timer based on activation of the second light source.